Tag Archives: renaissance faires

As mentioned in my last post, I have been tagged by Marvelous Marvin (henceforth known as MM) to spill the beans on six things my readers might not know about me.Six unusual things.This is kind of a toughie ‘cause most of the off the wall things about me are in my bios on whatever social network or blog I’ve joined or written. I actually spent some time thinking about this between 4 and 6am when I couldn’t sleep this morning, figuring it was a better way to entertain my brain than worry about finances.But I’m still having trouble, so I’m gonna start with one and see where it leads me.In fact, I’m going to cheat a bit and blog on one new and fascinating Dana factoid a day.I’m also supposed to tag six people so in keeping with my one a day (just like a vitamin!) revelation, I’ll tag one person at a time. This will also give me a chance to figure out who Marvin has not already tagged.J

Okay, number one:

Sword fighting is unusual (at least it was when I started; it’s become a lot more common as more renaissance faires and live gaming groups have sprung up over the years. Most of you know that I do theatrical combat, but most people don’t know how I got started on this swashbuckling past, so I’ll make this number one:

My first sword fight was actually a short sword fight at the San Diego Renaissance Faire the very first year it was held in the Balboa Park Organ Pavilion. I dressed as a gypsy in a full circle red skirt, cinch belt and off the shoulder white blouse and sauntered around the faire with all the confidence of an 18 year old having a good skin day.As I waited in line for some food (probably the ubiquitous turkey leg), I overheard a conversation between a two guys in breeches, puffy white shirts and boots.One of the guys was complaining that his fight partner had backed out at the last minute and he wasn’t going to be able to do his swordfight.The fellow talking was in his ‘20s, had a mane of thick black hair, shot with silver, smooth olive skin and nice features.Dashing.Cute.Puffy white shirt.

Without a second thought, I stepped forward and said, “I’ll do it!”

And thus begun my checkered career in theatrical combat and my introduction to Chris Villa, my first combat teacher. Chris took me up on my offer with an equal lack of hesitation, taught me the basic parry/cut/thrust positions as taught by SAFD (Society of American Fight Directors) in an hour and we performed the fight, complete with appropriately cheesy and sexist dialogue shortly thereafter.It went well and I soon became totally enamored with everything about sword fighting, including my teacher.

Chris started my predilection for men who swordfight.Something about the musculature of swordsmen, all smooth, subtle ripples under the skin instead of big old bulky Ah-nold type guns.And I’m sucker for the breeches and boots.Oh heck, it’s all about the romance that goes with the entire package.While I’ve met plenty of total assholes in the world of theatrical combat, I have never met one who lacked romance in his soul.

Chris was my first real boyfriend and we eventually became engaged. Things didn’t work out – I was SO not emotionally mature enough to settle down, but Chris had a huge impact on my life and was responsible for giving me the gift of what became an integral part of my life.He also got my cat high, but that’s another story.

Eventually I’m going to dig out my old photos and scan them so I can share a pictorial history as well.